A classic Italian motorboat — of a type widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ever built — will cross the block in May at an RM Sotheby's auction in Monaco.

The 1974 Riva Aquarama Special "Lealena," one of only 769 Aquaramas constructed, is a twin-V8 powered wooden runabout. The hull is lined in varnished mahogany, and the boat was powered by two engines from either Cadillac or Chrysler.

The name was inspired by the Cinerama, a wraparound movie theater format from which the boat takes it elegantly curved windscreen. It was an instant hit among the newly wealthy of the jet-set era.

Ferruccio Lamborghini was a customer — he had his refitted with two V12 engines from his 350 GT road car.

The auction house has not released an official sale estimate for the boat yet, but here is a list of similar Aquarama Specials on Yachtworld, all for north of $600,000.